If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer and are eligible for but have not yet enrolled in Medicare, you may be wondering if Medicare benefits can help you pay for your cancer treatments. Fortunately, the answer is yes. Here is what you need to know about how Medicare benefits interact with health care expenses associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

Medicare Coverage For Cancer Patients 

If you are eligible for Medicare benefits and have successfully enrolled, your coverage will extend to cancer treatments as well. This means your Part A hospital insurance will pay for any cancer treatments you receive during an inpatient hospital stay. Part A benefits will also pay for care in other health care settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, home health care facilities, hospice facilities, and rehabilitation services. 

Your Part B medical insurance will similarly cover costs associated with cancer treatment, but Part B benefits primarily help pay for services, treatments, and prescribed durable medical equipment. Your Part B benefits will cover a range of typical cancer treatments, including the following:

• Radiation treatments given in an outpatient clinic
• Diagnostic tests like X-ray or CT scan
• Preventive screening services
• Breast prosthesis following a mastectomy 
• Oral chemotherapy treatments
• Outpatient surgeries
• Equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, and more

Medicare Advantage Cancer Coverage

Part C of Medicare plans, also known as Medicare Advantage plans, are insurance policies offered by private insurers that have contracted with the Medicare administration to provide eligible members with their Medicare benefits. Like Original Medicare components Part A and Part B, Part C policies will also cover cancer-related health care costs. Though, the rules of your Advantage plan may somewhat differ from those of Original Medicare. If you are diagnosed with cancer or are concerned that you may be in the future, contact your benefits provider and determine if your policy has adequate cancer coverage options available.

Prescription Cancer Drugs With Medicare

If your doctor determines that you will need prescription medication to treat your cancer, your core Medicare benefits will not cover those medications unless you are enrolled in an applicable Medicare Advantage plan. Members of the Original Medicare plan will need to acquire prescription drug coverage separately via Part D of the Medicare program. A Part D plan will allow them to receive assistance paying for prescription drugs deemed medically necessary by a licensed physician or other health care professional. 

Find Medicare Coverage

If you have been recently diagnosed with cancer and are above age 65, Medicare benefits will help you afford the health care you need. It’s about time you enrolled. Contact Trusted Senior Specialists now to schedule a Medicare consultation.